Anna Kepner homicide investigation
Timothy Hudson, accused of murdering his step-sister Anna Kepner, was taken into federal custody by U.S. Marshals on June 16, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, after a judge ruled on June 15, 2026, that he should be held pending trial due to concerns about his potential for violence and lack of remorse. As of June 21, 2026, Hudson is awaiting transfer to a South Florida detention facility. Hudson faces adult charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse, with his trial scheduled for September 2026. The Kepner family expressed relief, stating they are at peace knowing he cannot harm anyone else while awaiting his trial.
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June 2026 — 7 developments
A judge ruled on June 15, 2026, that Timothy Hudson, accused of murdering his step-sister Anna Kepne…
A judge ruled on June 15, 2026, that Timothy Hudson, accused of murdering his step-sister Anna Kepner, should be held in custody pending trial due to concerns about his potential for violence and lack of remorse. Hudson was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals on June 16, 2026, and is awaiting transfer to a South Florida detention facility.
Timothy Hudson, accused in the death of his stepsister Anna Kepner, has been ordered into federal custody pending his trial.
Timothy Hudson, accused in the death of his stepsister Anna Kepner, has been ordered into federal custody pending his trial. U.S. Marshals took Hudson into custody in Tampa following legal disputes over his pretrial release. The Kepner family expressed relief, stating they are at peace knowing he cannot harm anyone else while awaiting his September 2026 trial.
Timothy Hudson, accused in the death of his stepsister Anna Kepner, has been ordered to be held in federal custody pending his trial.
Timothy Hudson, accused in the death of his stepsister Anna Kepner, has been ordered to be held in federal custody pending his trial. The judge cited that no conditions would reasonably assure community safety, overturning a previous order that allowed Hudson to remain free. Hudson faces adult charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Federal prosecutors have filed sealed evidence in the Anna Kepner murder case, seeking to have her accused stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, jailed before his September 2026 trial.
Federal prosecutors have filed sealed evidence in the Anna Kepner murder case, seeking to have her accused stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, jailed before his September 2026 trial. This filing aims to overturn a previous court order that allowed Hudson to remain free pending trial, despite charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
DNA collected from a second minor has been excluded as a contributor to evidence found in a rape kit, strongly supporting Timothy Hudson as the male contributor.
DNA collected from a second minor has been excluded as a contributor to evidence found in a rape kit, strongly supporting Timothy Hudson as the male contributor. Hudson, Kepner's stepbrother, faces charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse. His trial is scheduled for September 8, 2026.
Timothy Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner.
Timothy Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse in the death of his stepsister, Anna Kepner. New court documents reveal CCTV footage showing Hudson entering Kepner's cabin and disposing of her cell phone. Hudson will face trial in September and has been allowed to remain out of custody.
Investigators were made aware of a previous incident where Timothy Hudson allegedly attempted to climb into bed with Anna Kepner months before her death.
Investigators were made aware of a previous incident where Timothy Hudson allegedly attempted to climb into bed with Anna Kepner months before her death. The FBI also tested DNA from a second teenage boy on the same cruise, though he was not a suspect.
May 2026 — 5 developments
Unsealed court documents revealed that investigators found Timothy Hudson's DNA matching DNA found on Anna Kepner's body.
Unsealed court documents revealed that investigators found Timothy Hudson's DNA matching DNA found on Anna Kepner's body. Hudson, the 16-year-old stepbrother of the deceased, is accused of her murder and aggravated sexual assault. A federal judge is currently deliberating on whether Hudson should be detained pending trial.
Unsealed court transcripts from May 27, 2026, detail a timeline linking Timothy Hudson to the allege…
Unsealed court transcripts from May 27, 2026, detail a timeline linking Timothy Hudson to the alleged rape and strangulation of Anna Kepner, citing CCTV footage and witness testimony. A judge deferred a decision on prosecutors' request to detain Hudson, who remains on temporary house arrest.
A federal judge has ruled that Timothy Hudson, accused in the homicide of Anna Kepner, is not a flight risk and will be released on bond.
A federal judge has ruled that Timothy Hudson, accused in the homicide of Anna Kepner, is not a flight risk and will be released on bond. Prosecutors have criticized the decision, arguing Hudson poses a danger to the community. Hudson faces charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Timothy Hudson, the stepbrother indicted as an adult for the murder of Anna Kepner, has been allowed…
Timothy Hudson, the stepbrother indicted as an adult for the murder of Anna Kepner, has been allowed to remain free pending a decision on his detention following a May 27, 2026, hearing. Hudson has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse. Kepner was found dead on November 7, 2025, aboard a cruise ship, with the cause of death determined to be mechanical asphyxiation.
Timothy Hudson's trial for the murder of Anna Kepner has been rescheduled to September, with prosecutors planning to seek bond revocation at a May 27 hearing.
Timothy Hudson's trial for the murder of Anna Kepner has been rescheduled to September, with prosecutors planning to seek bond revocation at a May 27 hearing. Meanwhile, Anna Kepner was posthumously honored at her high school graduation ceremony, where her father accepted her diploma.
April 2026 — 2 developments
Timothy Hudson, the stepbrother of Anna Kepner, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse.
Timothy Hudson, the stepbrother of Anna Kepner, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse. His trial is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2026. Hudson was initially charged as a juvenile but the case was transferred to adult court.
A federal grand jury has indicted T.
A federal grand jury has indicted T.H., Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother, as an adult on charges of murder and aggravated sexual abuse in her death. A U.S. District Judge ordered the case transferred for adult prosecution after he was previously charged as a juvenile. The indictment was announced by the U.S. Department of Justice on April 13, 2026.
March 2026 — 1 developments
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother, identified as T.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother, identified as T.H. in court documents, has been charged with her homicide as a juvenile. Despite the charges, T.H. is not in police custody and is reportedly staying with a relative, according to a new court filing. The FBI and U.S. Attorney's Office have not commented on the case.
February 2026 — 5 developments
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with her homicide.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with her homicide. The teen suspect was reportedly released on pre-trial conditions. Kepner was found wrapped in a blanket by a housekeeper after missing a family breakfast, and a medical examiner confirmed she was murdered via mechanical asphyxia.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with homicide as a minor in her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother has been charged with homicide as a minor in her death aboard a Carnival cruise ship. The charges were revealed in court documents filed by his father's attorneys on February 20, 2026. The United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida filed the homicide charge on February 3, 2026.
Timothy Hudson, the teen stepbrother of Anna Kepner, was reportedly arrested this week.
Timothy Hudson, the teen stepbrother of Anna Kepner, was reportedly arrested this week. Federal officials have not publicly named a suspect or announced charges in the teen's death, which was deemed a homicide by asphyxiation. Hudson is considered a suspect in the FBI investigation into Kepner's death aboard a Carnival cruise ship in November.
Reports emerged that Timothy Hudson, Anna Kepner's stepbrother, appeared in federal adult court in Miami as the prime suspect in her death.
Reports emerged that Timothy Hudson, Anna Kepner's stepbrother, appeared in federal adult court in Miami as the prime suspect in her death. He faced potential adult charges for the November 2025 asphyxiation death.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, appeared in federal court in Miami for a closed-door hearing.
Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson, appeared in federal court in Miami for a closed-door hearing. Court records indicated the case was sealed, and the charges were not immediately known. Sources suggested he faced two charges related to Anna's death.
December 2025 — 2 developments
People magazine reported that suspicion fell on Timothy Hudson, Anna's stepbrother, who was seen on surveillance footage and via key card data entering the cabin.
People magazine reported that suspicion fell on Timothy Hudson, Anna's stepbrother, who was seen on surveillance footage and via key card data entering the cabin. A judge in a custody hearing referred to Timothy as a suspect in Anna's death.
During an emergency custody hearing related to a dispute between Anna's stepmother and her ex-husban…
During an emergency custody hearing related to a dispute between Anna's stepmother and her ex-husband, the stepmother's attorney acknowledged that the 16-year-old stepson might face state or federal charges. The stepbrother had undergone psychological and psychiatric testing.
November 2025 — 7 developments
Further details emerged, including that Anna's death certificate listed her cause of injury as mechanical asphyxiation by other person(s).
Further details emerged, including that Anna's death certificate listed her cause of injury as mechanical asphyxiation by other person(s). Her stepbrother was reportedly placed in the care of a relative due to safety concerns raised by Anna's father and stepmother.
Multiple news outlets reported that Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother had been identified as a suspect in her death.
Multiple news outlets reported that Anna Kepner's 16-year-old stepbrother had been identified as a suspect in her death. Preliminary findings indicated asphyxiation as the cause of death. The stepbrother was reportedly taken to the hospital after the ship docked in Miami.
CBS News reported that a stepsibling of Anna Kepner was being investigated for possible involvement …
CBS News reported that a stepsibling of Anna Kepner was being investigated for possible involvement in her death, citing law enforcement sources and court filings that identified the 16-year-old stepbrother as a suspect. The FBI had not publicly named any suspects.
Court filings in a custody dispute involving Anna's stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, and her ex-husband,…
Court filings in a custody dispute involving Anna's stepmother, Shauntel Hudson, and her ex-husband, Thomas Hudson, referred to their 16-year-old son, Anna's stepbrother, as a suspect in her death and the subject of an FBI probe.
The Carnival Horizon returned to the Port of Miami, where FBI agents boarded the ship to begin their investigation into Anna Kepner's death.
The Carnival Horizon returned to the Port of Miami, where FBI agents boarded the ship to begin their investigation into Anna Kepner's death. Her remains were transferred to the medical examiner's office, and investigators began questioning family members and crew.
Anna Kepner's body was discovered by a housekeeper under the bed in her cabin.
Anna Kepner's body was discovered by a housekeeper under the bed in her cabin. The Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner's Office listed her time of death as 11:17 a.m. Preliminary findings suggested the cause of death was asphyxiation, possibly from a "bar hold" or an arm across the neck, with bruises noted on her neck.
Anna Kepner boarded the Carnival Horizon in Miami with her father, stepmother, and step-siblings for a six-night Caribbean cruise.
Anna Kepner boarded the Carnival Horizon in Miami with her father, stepmother, and step-siblings for a six-night Caribbean cruise. She shared a stateroom with her 14-year-old brother and her 16-year-old stepbrother, Timothy Hudson.